Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-02-11

was recalled to the StdnQ ana examined
and cross examined. The utmost cour-
tssy characterized the examination, but
it had latitude that would not have been
permitted in an American court. FIRE.
quently spectator would interrupt with
a question or make suggestion to the
alclade. Once Francisco remarked that
he was tired and would take it as favor
if the court would hurry up.
Toward the close of the day l saw a
man on the outskirts of the spectators
who's face and manner attracted my at
tentior. He was the very image of Fran
cisco, the prisoner.
changed my position so as to get
better view. The resemblance was Won
derfully striking. The man was just
Francisco's age, height, size and complex
ion. His sombrero shaded his right tenn
pie and prevented me from seeing wheth-
or it bore the peculiar scar which disfg-
ured the robber. His costume was the
same as Francisco's, but, as nearly every
body wore homespun of the same color
and pattern, this did not excite my sur
prise.
eff he has the scar" 1 muttsred, she
could pass anywhere for Francisco. 1t
would be impossible to tell them apart"
Naturally / began to understand the
alibi. The men who swore that they saw
the highwayman twenty miles away from
the scene of his crimime at the very mo-
ment he was tying my hands might hon
estly be mistaken. They had seen this
mysterious stranger. But they had sworn
to the scar. Could it be possible that the
strangers face bore such a mark?
| determined to edge my way to him
H. L. nF
sombrero in order to look for the fiery
crescent.
When | reached that side of the build
ing the man was gone. L made every
effort to find him, but finally gave it up.
He had either left the room or shifted
his position, keeping other persons be
tween us so as to screen him from m
view.
AS it was growing dark four tallow can
dies were Zig hted, but the gloomy stone
walls made the room look almost. as dark
rs ever.
outcome of the case, when the lights were
suddenly blown out.
Keep in your places!" shouted an algu-
I'll. "Order in the palace of of justice"
The candles were relighted, and thsn
was 5uCu al 5CSuS do hdo lhiOiJ Owl
been beheld in a court room or anywh ere
else.
In front of the alcalde's bench stood
two scar faced men as much alike as two
brown peas.
iii. do 1 see double, or are there two
Franciscos?"
at is the work of the DEVIL" suggested
oil h
self.
My friend, the old llclade, put on his
spectacles and looked sharply at the two
men.
"Francisco!' he called.
Each of the two men gave jerk of his
head and answered to his name.
Let the American senior take the
stand" ordered the alclade.
In response to the questions put to mo
1 admitted that L could not point out the
real Francisco.
Three witnesses called to establish the
alibi were recalled. Thew shared my be-
wilderment, and could throw no light up
on the case.
The alclade scratched his head. Then
he touched one of the doubles with his
care.
"You now" he said. "what is your
namer
francisco" WIS the reply.
"Your residence and occupation
81 have none, | am travelling about"
He then turned to the other man.
"What is your name?"
francisco"
Your residence and occupation"
81 have none, l am travelling about"
Tho in ba
very same voice and manner of the first
double.
Seeing the alclade's embarrassment 1
prison both men until the matter could be
looked into.
81 cannot do it," he said Gone is in
no"ent. If / imprison him l shall lose my
place Besides. the twelve hours will
soon expire, and without satisfactory evil
dence | must turn both loose"
limited that it was all a put-up job;
that Francisco probably had twin broth
er, who had arranged to have the lights
blown out and had then, in the darkness,
made his way to tho prisoners side, aud
confusing matters with the intention of
evading justice.
at matters not" said the alcalde. Two
men cannot be arrested, tried and i'm
prisohed on n warrant against one, nor
can warrant be issued against two when
it is known that only one is guilty, No,
senior, it is a hardship, doubtless, but it is
better to disappoint justice than to do an
in Justice"
Then, raising his head, he said:
THE prisoners are discharged"
Silently the crowd divided, leaving n
broad pathway.
Down the isle walked the Franchises.
Each wore the same scornful smile. Each
gave the same wicked look out of his
black eyes. Each made the same low bow
to the court, and when they passed me l
noticed that the red scars on each mans
temple were both of the same size and of
the same flaming color.
Out of the arched doorway of the pal
ace OF Justice, out into the darkness, out
into the region Of the mysterious and the
unknown, passed the two Franciscos,
with not man to follow or say them
nay.
The next morning my expected lr
came.
was informed to lose no time in re-
turning to the states, and left San Pab-
10 at once.
For all | know, the two Franciscos are
still having royal time down in Yucca